Membership
Membership for individuals and organisations is available on an annual basis from the 1st of May.
Member activity can include:
- Participation in forums that focus on current issues in water safety, beach and facility management in the form of industry workshops, training and education programs, seminars and local, state, federal and international conferences.
- Attending Annual National Conference.
- Obtaining advice on water safety, management aquatic facilities and coastal assets, risk management in and around protected and open waters, tourism support, professional lifeguard and aquatics training.
- Becoming a member of the APOLA Board of Education, Training, Examination and Awards which oversees a comprehensive training and education awards system for lifeguards, surf coaches, teachers, parents and other community groups.
- Delivering Association water safety education and training programs for pre school, school, adult, senior adult, surf coaches, school teachers and lifeguards.
- Participating in the annual Australian Professional Ocean and Wave Pool Lifeguard Championships, and other regional events including the Annual Bondi Lifeguard Challenge Relay held each February
- Nomination for outstanding professional service awards for prevention of serious injury and saving life through feats of bravery and demonstration of high level rescue and first aid skills; development of innovative rescue equipment and other procedures which effectively improve safety in the workplace.
- Attending the outstanding Service Awards Dinner at the Annual Conference to recognise, celebrate and reward colleagues for their commitment to lifeguarding and the prevention of drowning.
Membership is available for individuals and organisations and is renewable annually from 1st May just prior to the annual conference that is held early May.
Individual Membership Categories:
- Professional – for individuals currently employed as lifeguards
- Trainee – for individuals training to be lifeguards
- Associate – for individuals no longer working as lifeguards
- Community – for individuals attaining an APOLA Training Award or participating in an Association organised event such as the Annual Conference.
- Support – for other individuals interested in support of association activities.
Organisation Membership Categories:
- Councils – for Councils operating Ocean Lifeguard Services and/or aquatic facilities including Wave Pools
- Associate Organisations – organisations supportive of aquatic safety
- Sponsors – organisations contributing to the development and delivery of Association programs
Annual Membership Fees
Individual annual membership fees (including GST): $22
Organisation annual membership fees (including GST): $110
Membership Benefits
Individual Membership
- Individual Membership Card
- National Professional Lifeguard Registration (Professional Members)
- Distinguished Service Awards eligibility
- Information and Advisory Services including Positions Vacant, Event Notices and Surf Alerts
- Newsletters including OCEAN LIFEGUARD and APOLA ENEWS
- Discounts for industry training, workshops, conferences, reports and other publications
- Discounts on merchandise including footwear, shirts, caps, towels, swimwear wetsuits and sunglasses
Organisation Membership
- Organisation Membership Certificate
- Distinguished Service Awards eligibility
- Information and Advisory Services including Positions Vacant, Event Notices, Surf Alerts and Aquatics Information Bulletins.
- Newsletters including OCEAN LIFEGUARD and APOLA ENEWS
- Discounts for staff training, workshops, conferences, reports and other industry publications
Continuing Membership Subscription
For individuals continuing membership is available for members choosing a 5, 10, 20, 25 or 50 year member subscription. To become a Continuing Member please use the Continuing Individual Membership Scheme Form to select: silver, gold, super gold, diamond, or grand diamond levels.
Life Membership
From time to time Association members are awarded Life Membership in recognition of service to the Association and wider Aquatics and Water Safety Sector.
2022-23 APOLA Individual Membership Form
2022-23 APOLA Organisation membership form
2022-23 APOLA Continuing Individual Membership Scheme Form